Editorial: Toll mounts while plan gathers dust

Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2002 | 8:48 a.m.

Ten years ago a Las Vegas Sun reporter, responding to reports on the police scanner of a body being found, saw the stark end of one homeless man's life. His final resting place was underneath a trailer at a truck stop, where he had sought shelter. His clothing included a frayed jacket pulled up around his ears. A makeshift bedroll, complete with bunched rags to form a pillow, protected him from the pavement. Plastic bags full of personal items were by his side. His arms were folded over his chest and he appeared asleep. But his life had given out under that trailer at the truck stop, where he had been one of the regulars using the bathroom there and scavenging for cigarettes, booze and food. Other homeless people had gathered around and a few talked about how this man had loved his bicycle, which was now missing. One said the scene was a preview of all of their fates -- unless something was done.

Things have been done over the past decade to help the estimated 10,000 homeless people in the Las Vegas Valley. Local governments have committed money. Charities, churches and volunteers have contributed as well. Their efforts have saved and comforted many people. Yet much more needs to be done, as shown by the latest mortality figures. Forty-eight homeless people are known to have died prematurely this year because of their lives on the streets. Twelve were senior citizens. Seven were women.

The Southern Nevada Homeless Task Force, chaired by Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, has a five-point plan emphasizing job assistance, mental health treatment, outreach services and other homeless needs. Unfortunately, the plan is all on paper. Area municipalities should agree to fund the plan. Sitting on a shelf, it will never extend underneath those trailers and into those drainage ditches, where it's so desperately needed.